A captivating island boasting some of the Caribbean’s most idyllic beaches and year-round sunshine

Surrounded by a nearly unbroken offshore reef protecting miles of white sands and hidden coves, you may have heard that this charming island promises a beach for every day of the year, yet it offers so much more. From diving and sailing, for which Antigua is particularly known, to 4x4 rainforest tours and explorations of quaint colonial towns there is plenty to complement those long, drawn out days on the beach.

Best time to visit

Between December and June.

Holiday highlights

This independent nation was once a British colony and English influences can be seen from the crumbling sugar plantations and delightfully quaint English Harbour to locals playing cricket and hotels offering traditional afternoon tea. Despite these familiar touches, the wonderfully laid back vibe that is synonymous with the Caribbean pervades every corner of this relaxing isle.

The capital, St John’s is dominated by the cathedral’s striking Baroque towers which are one of the first sights to welcome visitors arriving on the island by boat. St John’s offers a lovely mix West Indian gingerbread style houses, British colonial buildings, excellent harbourside restaurants and a bustling farmer’s market. It is also home to Antigua’s biggest attraction - Nelson’s Dockyard National Park, a beautifully restored Georgian naval base that serves as Antigua’s historic heart. Soak up the atmosphere with lunch on the terrace at Admiral’s Inn and watch yachts docking in the pretty harbour.

The harbour really comes alive during the annual Antigua Sailing Week, a world-famous regatta that kicks off in late April and attracts skilled yachtsmen from every corner of the globe. Visit the island during this period to experience the incredible carnival-like atmosphere and enjoy live music and numerous parties as a cloud of billowing sails dot the horizon and the majestic yachts ride the sapphire waves in a thrilling race to victory.

Antigua’s incredible choice of beaches means that there truly is something to suit everyone. Enjoy romantic strolls along deserted sands, leaving a trail of footprints as a fleeting sign of your presence; relax on velvety sands before slipping into sparkling azure waters to explore colourful marine life; take the kids swimming in calm, clear waters; or, if you’re feeling particularly brave then try your hand at kite surfing with the mighty Trade Winds behind you. With little or no current in Antigua’s shallow water areas the visibility is excellent which makes it ideal for snorkelling and diving.

Dickenson Bay lies in the northwest and boasts soft powdery sands and calm waters, ideal for families with children. Tuck into tasty coconut shrimp at Valley Church Beach on the west coast and sink your toes into this heavenly stretch of glistening white sands dotted with pretty seashells.

Antigua is blessed with captivating scenery that is just waiting to be explored; venture beyond the beach to discover a number of fabulous look-out points. Follow the nature trail from English Harbour through forest up to Shirley Heights. Parts of the trail are quite steep but you will be rewarded at the top by incredible panoramic views over English Harbour. The summit is a romantic spot for watching the harbour become enveloped in a golden glow as the sun sets over the bay.

If you are travelling from St John’s to English Harbour in the south then take a slight detour and follow the coastal road before journeying along Fig Tree Drive for a scenic and sometimes bumpy drive across rolling hills and through rainforest, farmland and banana, coconut and mango groves. Visit sugar mills and tiny picturesque villages and stop at a local fruit stand to sample the island’s black pineapple which is renowned for its sweetness.

Just a 90-minute ferry ride north of the island will whisk you to beautiful Barbuda. Antigua’s sister island is blessed with an impossibly romantic and deserted eight-mile pink sand beach which gets its unique rose petal hue from the crushed coral in the sand. Nature-lovers will adore the frigate bird sanctuary which is only accessible by boat and is a haven to 170 species of bird and over 5000 frigate birds.

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All countries in Caribbean & Mexico

Aruba

Aruba – an exotic paradise located deep in the southern Caribbean Sea. Even though the island is just 20 miles long, it offers so much – from secluded beaches, natural rock formations and coral encrusted ship wrecks to chic resorts, adventure sports and glitzy casinos. The pristine beaches and year-round sunshine make Aruba a popular destination for both families and honeymooners.

Bahamas

A former haven of pirates, smugglers and rum-runners, the Bahamas has become one of the most popular holiday destinations in the Caribbean. Enjoy long days below the surface as tropical fish swim by, kick back on powder-soft sands, go island-hopping to explore this beautiful archipelago of 700 islands and perhaps experience the charming swimming pigs on Pig Beach. Spend a week or two here and adjust to the islands' three paces of life... slow, stop and reverse, and enjoy the hedonistic, manmade delights of Paradise Island.

Barbados

This small coral island is big on personality, culture and unadulterated Caribbean indulgence. With a unique atmosphere ‘Little England’ is at times incredibly familiar – think games of cricket and afternoon tea – and at others the tropical paradise of your imagination. As the eastern-most island in the Caribbean the island is a land of contrasts, defined by crashing Atlantic waves to the east and the calm, clear waters of the Caribbean to the west.

Bermuda

Year-round sunshine, exclusive resorts and a charming seaside capital; Bermuda is an excellent choice for those seeking year-round sunshine within a truly relaxed atmosphere. The hook-shaped nation of Bermuda is a treasure trove of natural beauty, culture and historic sights made up of 181 islands, islets and rocky outcrops. Spend lazy days on pink sands, dive and snorkel, tee off in a variety of championship courses or explore the UNESCO site of St George’s.

British Virgin Islands

The British half of the Virgin Islands archipelago, more commonly and affectionately known as the BVIs, retains some of the Caribbean’s most exclusive real estate, and the scattering of idyllic, barely inhabited shores are the epitome of soul-soothing tropical island escapes.

Cayman Islands

The three islands of Grand Cayman, Little Cayman and Cayman Brac offer holidaymakers a range of memorable Caribbean experiences above and below their crystal blue waters. The largest, Grand Cayman, is home to the elegant capital, where visitors can pick up duty free bargains and learn about the islands' culture, and the famous Seven Mile Beach, a seemingly endless stretch of immaculate white sand.

Cuba

Enthralling, atmospheric and complex are just a few words you could use to describe Cuba. As a former Spanish colony, a pre-revolutionary playground for the rich and famous, and the last bastion of world communism, the Caribbean’s largest island has a distinctive character – leave your regular Caribbean expectations at the airport, switch off from the Western world and take it as it comes and you won’t be disappointed. Add to this the famous white sand beach resorts of Varadero, Guardalavaca and the Cayos and you have the makings of a unique and unforgettable holiday.

Grenada

Often dubbed 'Spice Island', Grenada is famous for its nutmeg, ginger and vanilla, as well as its mountain forests and beautiful beaches. Relaxing and peaceful, it’s low on evening entertainment but fabulous for authentic Caribbean cuisine, idyllic beaches and beautiful scenery.

Jamaica

Soft white sand beaches, glistening waters and the ultimate take-it-easy vibe, Jamaica makes a great choice for those seeking great company, delicious food and picture-perfect backdrops. From breathtaking sunrises and sunsets in Negril to world-famous waterfalls in Ocho Rios, you can do as much or as little as you want on this care-free island.

St Kitts & Nevis

A dual-island country as well one of the world's smallest nations, these beautiful islands offer an exotic and thoroughly charming Caribbean experience. Both islands are dotted with charming plantation inns and historic sites, testament to their place as a former bastion of colonial elegance and gracious living.

St Vincent & The Grenadines

The tiny islands of The Grenadines scatter the tropical seas between the teardrop islands of St Vincent and Grenada. Expect no traffic on land - this is sailing heaven - and enjoy the entrancing sounds of the gentle caress of waves lapping on idyllic shores. The lifestyle ranges from informal to barefoot casual and the island is perfect for outdoor pursuits such as hiking and biking as well as diving, sailing and whalte-watching.

St Lucia

St Lucia changed hands between the French and British fourteen times during the 18th and 19th Centuries and it isn’t hard to see why both nations coveted it so much. This paradise island boasts a true essence of romance as well as adventure with talcum-white beaches and crystal clear waters, dramatic landscapes, an unspoilt rainforest and even a drive-in volcano.

Tobago

Tobago, one of the Caribbean's most southerly islands, is a tropical paradise with captivating scenery, friendly islanders and picturesque beaches. As well as winning prestigious awards for its remarkable eco-credentials, this wonderful island boasts a quiet, simple and relaxing way of life.

Turks & Caicos

A beautiful British Crown Colony of 40 islands and cays, Turks & Caicos is somewhere you can still truly ‘get away from it all’. Breath-taking turquoise waters, powdery white sand, fantastic snorkelling and diving and a friendly welcome are just a few of the things that make these islands so special. Experience one of the last undiscovered treasures of the tropics.

Anguilla

Anguilla is definitely what you'd call secluded and with just a sprinkling of luxurious hotels, the island is exclusive too. Mile upon mile of pristine sands and offshore coral cays make it the dream for escapists. A diversity of dive sites, from long forgotten shipwrecks to cliffs, canyons and caverns, beckon sub-mariners in scuba gear.

Dominican Republic

If you are seeking a break where the focus is solely on sun, sea and sand then a holiday in Dominican Republic – staying at one of all the all inclusive resorts for which the Caribbean is famous – is the ideal choice. Occupying the eastern half of the Caribbean’s second largest island it comes as no surprise that the beaches here can stretch for miles and our hand-picked hotels are centred on the popular beach resorts of Punta Cana, Bavaro and Bayahibe.

Mexico

Mexico offers so much more than just its world famous Caribbean coast – strikingly vibrant and full of cultural gems from pre-Hispanic ruins to grand colonial architecture. Cultural and historic exploration can begin in the capital sprawling Mexico City, where the ancient, colonial and modern sit side by side. Head east through a heartland with a rich heritage to the Yucatán Peninsula. This is the Mexico you’ve dreamed of, home to iconic sights such as Chichen Itza, Tulum, and of course those picture-perfect beaches.

St Martin & St Maarten

An island divided by two nations – the French and the Dutch – St Martin and St Maarten make two charming holiday destinations – ideal for adults seeking a romantic escape. The Dutch side, St Maarten, is home to the Princess Juliana International Airport and Maho Beach, where low-flying aircraft descend for the runway – allowing sunbathers to wave at landing passengers. The French side of St Martin hosts a string of luxury hotels, great restaurants and exclusive beaches.

2 Hotels, 4 Cruises

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